Browns ready to steal one from the Bengals

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on October 4, 2009, 3:46 PM EST

When Browns coach Eric Mangini said earlier in the week that the decision as to the quarterback for today’s home game against the Bengals would be based on determining which signal-caller gave Cleveland the best chance to win “this week.”

Forget the rest of the season — the Browns needed a win, and this game arguably provided the best chance to win any game before the bye week, at which time the Browns could be 0-8.

So after spotting the Bengals 14 points the Browns have kept their wits about them, and they’ve gradually wiped out the deficit — and claimed the lead.

It’s 17-14 in the fourth quarter, with less than nine minutes to play.

Since pushing the lead to 14 early in the second quarters, the Bengals haven’t been able to get a single first down, with five three-and-out possessions.

The Browns just stopped the Bengals again, and Cleveland has the ball inside the Cincy 20 after a nice punt return from Josh Cribbs.